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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

PINEDA IS A PROSPECT AGAIN

Back in 2011, Michael Pineda was a leading prospect. In all actuality, as a young player from the Dominican Republic back in 2005, Pineda was recognized as having potential and was signed by the Seattle Mariners, presumably for the long haul. Yet, "he joined the Yankees in the 2012 deal for catching prospect Jesus Montero, a player whom Yankees GM Brian Cashman regarded as potentially "the best player I've ever traded." Montero failed to live up to his massive hype, and has played more than 38 games only once in his five MLB seasons," stated an article posted on the YES Network. Pineda himself missed all of the 2012 and 2013 season due to injury. So why bring up this spilled milk again? Because there's a good ending, I think.

The YES Network's A.J. Hermann stated that in fact, Pineda "will be positioned near the top of the Yankees starting rotation in 2016, as the Bombers look for their big righty to take another positive step forward in his young MLB career." He is listed in the top 20 of pitching prospects for the 2016 season. What does this mean? Nothing really, but I am still optimistic.

You see sometimes being "named" to a list or receiving an award is enough motivation to stay on top. I mean, does Pineda need to "named" to a list to perform at his best? In theory, no, but in reality, any boost in ego is self-serving.

(In Photo: Dellin Betances)
Pitchers and catchers report this Friday and there is much optimism that our pitching staff, at least the closing half, is the best in baseball. Let's see what other accolades we can pick up to keep us up along the way!